All towels have a certain role and function. So, remembering all the towel decorum might be a challenge. When we attend a location with such a level of courtesy, a lack of information about towels can lead us to an awkward situation.
There are various types of towels available depending on their sizes like bath towels, bath sheets, fingertip towels, guest towels, and hand towels. It can become tough to understand exactly which one to utilize and which to purchase.
Since they are identical in dimension and usefulness, hand towels and fingertip towels might be the most perplexing of all the towel varieties. However, every towel variety has a distinct role, and having sufficient of each is advantageous, be it a household or work.
This article will ease your confusion and answer the obvious questions regarding the differences between Fingertip towels vs Hand towels.
Types of Towel Fabrics
Before we jump into the main context, we need to know the towel fabrics available in the towel industry. Towels that use organic materials would be the finest option. Organic fibers take up fluid spills more efficiently compared to artificial fibers. There is a wide range of towel fabrics, but the following four are the most absorbent fabrics:
- Linen Fabric: This is preferred for small towels because of their adsorbent ability. This fabric is very sturdy and can be easily taken care of.
- Cotton Fabric: Cotton is a very common fabric and is a multi-tasker. It is found in various sizes, colors, thicknesses, and designs.
- Bamboo Fabric: Bamboo is a strong and flexible material. This fabric is softer and smoother than cotton, and it becomes gentler with continuous use.
- Microfiber Fabric: This fabric is very recent to manufacture towels. It is comprised of polyamide and polyester along with other fibers. Microfiber fabric towels are not as silky as those listed above, but they dry quickly. They’re simple to clean, sturdy, and long-lasting. The amazing thing about this cloth is how it absorbs oil and grease.
Fingertip Towel vs Hand Towel
Now that we have discussed different fabrics and have already established an objective. Let’s dive into our main concern, the difference between a fingertip and a hand towel!
What is a Fingertip Towel?
Fingertip towel stands on its name. Its function is given in itself. The towel that we typically use to wipe our fingertips is a fingertip towel. It can be placed on the tea table just as decor when guests come over or when we visit an exotic restaurant.
What is a Hand Towel?
The hand towel is a far more common alternative than fingertip towels. Although we won’t find a fingertip towel in all residences, we will discover a hand towel. We’re more likely to see one dangling on the towel rail on the wall or next to the basin.
Towel size
Hand towels are shorter than bath towels but bigger than fingertip towels and washcloths, measuring 16 to 18 inches broad by 28 to 30 inches in length.
The fingertip towel’s size may be perplexing. People may mistake it for a hand towel at first look due to its size being so similar. Although hand towels and fingertip towels have many characteristics, they are used for various purposes and have distinct sizes. Fingertip towels are around 11 inches by 18 inches in size, relatively shorter than hand towels yet bigger than washcloths.
Design
Hand towels are bigger than fingertip towels. They come in different colors, patterns, and fabrics. They also can come in color gradients with a wavy pattern on the edges or in a single plain color with a simple design.
A hand towel contains broader patterns and heavier fibers to soak more dampness and water. As a result, we see cotton embroidered hand towels in high-end residences and restaurants. For an attractive approach to greeting customers, sometimes management rolls hand towels in the shape of flowers and swans in high-end hotels.
In contrast to hand towels, fingertip towels are a bit smaller in size. They also come in different colors and patterns. Sometimes, embroidered designs can be in the middle or corner of these towels.
Because fingertip towels are often intended for personal use, weaving is typically compressed. If someone has delicate skin, bamboo fiber towels are a good choice because they are mild on the skin.
Lots of patterned fingertip towels are placed on display cases only for aesthetic reasons by the hosts. Those towels are practically useless.
Thickness
Towels whose quality is top-notch feel considerably thicker than it seems. These towels absorb more liquid spills or greases. We measure the thickness and weight of the towel in Grams per Square Meter, in short, GSM.
Towels with low GSM like 300 to 400 GSM are slim and lightweight, whereas towels with high GSM like 450 to 600 GSM are bulkier and more substantial. A towel that contains below 400 grams per square meter is considered lightweight and appropriate for use in a gym carrier or at the seashore. Both fingertip towels and hand towels tend to have a GSM of more than 400.
Generally, the greater GSM, the softer and more absorbent the towel. However, since hand towels are a bit larger than fingertip towels, they can have more GSM than fingertip towels. Thickness also depends on the respective towel manufacturing companies. Richard Haworth, for instance, offers a GSM ranging from 400 to 550 for its towel varieties.
Price
The price of the towels depends on various factors. Towel quality, efficiency, brand, design, aestheticism, fabric, color varieties, everything plays a big role when considering the price.
Fingertip towels are most often used for decor and aestheticism. It is mostly found in luxurious places, households, or restaurants. Quality, aestheticism, color, and design add value to the price of fingertip towels.
Hand towels, on the other hand, are very common and can be found almost everywhere. Their appearance does not matter as long as they perform well. Thus, we can find hand towels at a lower price than fingertip towels.
Which one to use?
The whole topic gives rise to the question: which one to use? The answer is, it depends on the individual’s preference and whether they are hosts or guests.
If an individual is a host, he should use a regular hand towel and provide the guest with a clean hand towel for wiping. You can also decorate your dinner table with a fingertip towel. If an individual is a guest, he can carry his fingertip towel or use the hand towel provided by the host.
Both of them are essential for their individual purposes. They are both multi-functional. Choosing the right fabric material will add benefit to their use. Getting these towels is a wise investment that will pay off in the long run.
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